Professor Green has joked he thinks Justin Bieber is a great role model for young people.

And yes, we must emphasize, he was joking.

The rapper showed his humorous side at MTV Crashes Derry-Londonderry recently when he joked Bieber and his various brushes with the law were inspirational for people growing up.

Ahem.

Justin - who was arrested earlier this year for drag-racing and DUI - was referred to by Pro Green as doing "a great job", who also joked young people should "model themselves" on the Boyfriend singer.

He told MTV News: "I think Justin Bieber is doing a great job, setting a great example for people.

(Image: FameFlynet)

"I think, as far as child protégés go, kids should really look to him for how to behave and act and all children should model themselves on Justin Bieber and behave just as he does. I think he's a great role model for children."

The rapper - who released his latest studio album Growing Up In Public today - confessed that the album's name is also intended to be taken with a pinch of salt as he still considers himself to be "quite childish".

He explained: "I came up with the title probably about two or two and a half years ago. And it was quite tongue-in-cheek.

"Obviously in the last 18 months, I've been forced to live out a lot of my life in the public eye and there were quite a few things that happened, some good, some not so good.

"But the growing up part, I guess is still tongue-in-cheek because I wouldn't say that I've grown up that much. I'm still quite childish."